What is psychosis?
While the experiences you have during psychosis are not real to others, they are very real to you. This imagined or distorted reality is comprised of delusions and hallucinations and can include, for example, hearing voices or experiencing other phenomena that others can’t see. Thoughts during a psychotic episode are perceived as real and aren’t open to question. Different people may react differently in a psychotic state depending on the situation, their personality and the circumstances around them.
Altered self-image and perception of reality
A delusion can concern the person themselves. It’s common for people who are psychotic to experience themselves as altered. For example, a person who is psychotic may believe that they’re a very important or specially chosen person, representing good, evil or other qualities. One person undergoing psychosis may become angry and want to confront those around them, another person may feel like a saviour and want to embrace everyone around them, and a third person may turn inward and shut themselves off. For those around you, it’s frightening and distressing.
Conflicts with those around you
If you’re suffering from psychosis, the experience of those around you not understanding or sharing your concerns or not seeing what you consider obvious can prove extremely frustrating. As a result, psychosis often involves conflicts with those around you.
What causes psychosis?
Psychosis can have several causes. There’s often an inherited susceptibility and certain gene variants can be linked to an increased risk of schizophrenia. Several medical conditions can increase the risk of psychosis. If you’re susceptible, extreme stress or traumatic experiences can trigger psychotic symptoms. There’s also a link to the use of drugs such as hashish and marijuana.
Severe sleep deprivation increases susceptibility to psychosis. Psychotic symptoms may also be seen in mania or severe depression.
If you suffer from frequent and prolonged psychotic episodes, you have a condition for which you need treatment.
What help can I get?
Before you can get the right treatment, you’ll need to undergo a psychiatric assessment. Depending on your difficulties, you may need several different treatments, such as medication, psychotherapy and other psychosocial support. A care plan is a good idea to ensure that your care is well coordinated.
Most people recover from acute psychosis
Recovery may require support and help from those around you. You need to understand what’s happened to you and what you can do to avoid it happening again. You may need to be medicated for quite some time, you’ll need to learn to recognize early signs of psychosis, and you’ll need to know how to get in touch with healthcare services to avoid new psychotic episodes.
Reviewed by: Mikael Landén, professor of psychiatry and university hospital chief physician.
Last edited 2023-12-07